Northwood Synagogue held a special kiddush on Shabbat to bid farewell to Rabbi Alan Plancey after 20 months as acting minister.

The shul was packed for the service, after which chairman Alan Taylor paid tribute to the rabbi and his wife Miriam for outstanding leadership, friendship and hospitality.

In appreciation of their efforts, he presented them with an inscribed silver tray.

Mr Taylor said afterwards: “We were lucky to have someone of such charisma and knowledge to help us through the period while we searched for a permanent rabbi. Though our newly-appointed minister, Rabbi Dr Moshe Freedman, will be taking up his post shortly, we expect to see Rabbi Plancey back with us as a guest minister from time to time.”

Rabbi Plancey praised Northwood as “a community where everyone volunteers and everyone participates”. He is emeritus rabbi at the Borehamwood congregation he served for over 30 years.